POGO RAID AFTERMATH: Lapu-Lapu police chief, 2 other officials axed

THE chief of the Lapu-Lapu City Police Office (LLCPO) was relieved days after the discovery of a Philippine Offshore Gaming Operators (POGO) hub inside a hotel in the city.

Col. Ali Baron was axed from his post just five months after being named LLCPO chief.

Also relieved from his post was Col. Marlon Santos, chief of the Criminal Investigation and Detection Group-Central Visayas, and Col. Gervacio Balmaceda, chief of the Regional Intelligence Division of the Police Regional Office-Central Visayas (PRO 7).

Key police officials have been relieved one after another following the dismantling of the POGO hub at Tourist Garden Hotel in Barangay Agus last August 31.

Previously relieved as chief of LLCPO’s Intelligence Unit was Maj. Dindo Alaras and Station 4 chief Maj. Judith Besas.

Lt. Col Gerard Ace Pelare, spokesperson of the PRO-7 chief Brig. Gen. Anthony Aberin, said there is an ongoing investigation to determine if lapses were committed by some officials that enabled the clandestine operation of the POGO hub.

“That was the reason why there were (relief) orders but the orders came from the national headquarters. We will always abide by the wisdom of our leaders in the PNP,” Pelare said.

During the raid, a group of foreigners that included Chinese, Indonesian and Myanmar were apprehended.

The raid was conducted by agents of the National BUreau of Investigation and personnel of the Presidential Anti-Organized Crime Commission, Department of Social Welfare and Development, Inter-Agency Council Against Trafficking, and the Bureau of Immigration.

Lt. Col. Conrado Manatad will serve as LLCPO’s officer-in-charge following the relief of Baron, said Lt. Col. Christian Torres, information officer of LLCPO.

Torres said those who were relieved will undergo a pre-charge investigation to determine if they were liable for failing to monitor the operation of the POGO hub.(Chris A. Ligan and CDB)

• Tags
• #POGO
• #Lapu-Lapu City Police Office
• #Philippine Offshore Gaming Operators
• #Col. Ali Baron
• #Col. Marlon Santos
• #CIDG
• #Col. Gervacio Balmaceda
• #Regional Intelligence Division
• #Police Regional Office 7
• #Tourist Garden Hotel
• #Agus